CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Representing Grundy, Kankakee, & Will Counties, 7 youth competed to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State Public Speaking Contest held at Parkland College on April 30.
Youth who participate in this yearly exhibit develop skills for communicating real-life issues to live audiences and receive professional and peer feedback. This highly competitive contest features youth ages 8-18 who qualified at the local level and advance to represent their communities at State. Competing against other speakers from across the state, delegates gain skills in learning how to organize and prepare a speech, developing speech delivery skills, and learning how to present themselves in front of an audience.
After results were tallied, Grundy, Kankakee, & Will counties were represented on the winner's podium by the three representatives from Grundy County who placed in their respective speeches. All delegates from Grundy placed in this tough competition.
Placing 1st in the Original Works Team category: Olivia & Simon Truhlar, 1st place Original Works Team
Placing 3rd in the Oral Interpretation Individual category: Jacob Truhlar, 3rd place Oral Interpretation Individual
"It's challenging enough to qualify for the state competition" says Brooke Baker-Katcher, 4-H program coordinator serving Grundy county, "the fact that all three delegates from our county made it to the winner's podium is a testament to the hard work and amazing talent that exists in our counties. We couldn't be more proud."
A full list of winners can be found here. All participants from the three counties did an amazing job.
In the Formal Speech Division, youth share their perspective on a topic of their choice with a speech intended to motivate, persuade, or inform an audience. Kankakee & Will County participants in this division included: Avery Edler, Will County; Ainsley Martin, Kankakee County
In the Oral Interpretation Division, presentations must be previously published works or manuscripts with youth competing individually and in teams. Grundy County participants in this division included: Jacob Truhlar, Grundy County
In the Original Works Division, presentations must be published works, and manuscripts or transcripts. Grundy & Kankakee County participants in this division included: Cady Hagler, Kankakee County; Emma Schnitzler, Kankakee County; Olivia Truhlar, Grundy County; Simon Truhlar, Grundy County
Public speaking is an important part of the overall 4-H experience. Throughout the year, 4-H members give talks and demonstrations at community club meetings and share information about the skills they learned in a project while receiving feedback in a supportive environment. Every 4-H member is also encouraged to give at least one formal presentation during a club meeting each year.
To learn more about public speaking growth opportunities in Grundy, Kankakee, & Will Counties, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW.
COMPEER Financial provided financial support for this program.
SOURCE: Cindy Ogwal, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, 4-H State Office; Brooke Baker-Katcher, 4-H Program Coordinator.
WRITER: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office; Anthony Warmack, 4-H Program Coordinator
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
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